Little Flock

Short Prayer

Thank you Lord God for this moment of sharing spiritual knowledge, may You bless us all with understanding and wisdom throughout this journey, in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 (NIV)

Verses 3-8 tell us about the sower (farmer) who went out to sow his seed, describing four types of environment where the seed fell. (1st) “Some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” (2nd) “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” (3rd) “Other seeds fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” (4th) “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Like the disciples listening to Jesus, we may also ask: why some lessons in the Bible were written as parables? Verse 11 says “Jesus replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them’“. Thus, the understanding of those things is a gift from God, not a result of our own effort or wisdom. In addition, we may ask: why does Verse 11 say “secrets of the kingdom of heaven“. This is so because no one comes to the Father except through Jesus, as He said “…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” [John 14:6 (NIV)]. As the many verses in the Bible say: “Whoever has ears, let them hear“.

Verses 19-23 explained what the parable of the sower means: (1st) “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” (2nd) “The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (3rd) “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (4th) “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it”, thus producing the “fruits of the spirit” [Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)].

Insights

Upon learning about these things, what should we do then when we hear the message (Word of God)? As the Lord Jesus Christ taught us in this parable:

• We must receive it by heart, so that no one can just easily take it away from us;
• We must strengthen it, study the Bible more, and let the Holy Spirit give us divine revelation;
• We must practice whatever we learn as the trial comes sooner than we expect; and
• Combine all these actions (receive by heart, strengthen and practice the spiritual learnings) and we will be able to bear the fruits of the spirit.

This passage applies to both first-time hearers of the Word of God and how they may take the message in different ways, and those who consider themselves as already believers, who further digest the essence of every message/lesson that they receive from God. It is a continuous journey that we need to take to strengthen our faith. As “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” [Romans 10:17 (NIV)]. It also shows us how we, who can also be considered sowers, have our responsibility to share the word of God; and only God knows who this word will reach and how they will take it. “…but the Lord looks at the heart” [1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)].

Praise the Lord God for the reading of His word, and may God bless us all in Jesus’ name, Amen.